To install jEdit, open an MS-DOS prompt (Start->Programs->MS-DOS Prompt), and enter the following commands: cd directory where you downloaded the JAR file java -jar filename.jar For example, if you downloaded jedit32install.jar into C:\Downloads, you would enter: cd C:\Downloads java -jar jedit32install.jar If for whatever reason you want to start the installer in text-only mode, specify text as the last parameter on the command line. In text only mode, the installer will not display it's GUI, and instead it will ask questions in the MS-DOS prompt.